Key developments: U.S. forces take control of airport, bring in reinforcements

Hussein on TV

April 05, 2003

On the ground: After a day of fighting, U.S. troops took over Saddam International Airport and renamed it Baghdad International. The 101st Airborne Division, specially trained in urban warfare, began ferrying in soldiers and equipment. The airport is within range of Iraqi artillery in the capital.

U.S. commanders say two Republican Guard divisions are all but destroyed and the remaining four appear in disarray. But they warn that tough fighting lies ahead.

Hussein on TV: In an apparent attempt to refute speculation that Saddam Hussein was no longer in control, Iraqi television broadcast two tapes reportedly showing the Iraqi leader. In one, he referred to an incident in the early days of the war. In the other, a man said to be the Iraqi leader greeted cheering civilians. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of other Baghdad residents clogged roads leading north, away from advancing U.S. troops.

Suicide attack: Two women blew up their car in western Iraq, killing three U.S. soldiers. The attack came as the Iraqi information minister vowed a "martyrdom operation" against the allies.

Postwar Iraq: Secretary of State Colin Powell, declaring that "the day of liberation is drawing near," called for an interim administration to be set up in Iraq using exiles and people who remained in the country and opposed Hussein.

Top diplomats from Russia, France and Germany said the Bush administration should allow the United Nations to take a central role in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country.

Colonel sacked: The Marine Corps removed Col. Joe Dowdy, the officer in charge of the 1st Regiment, one of the main units pushing toward Baghdad. But the Pentagon and Central Command provided no explanation for the move, which was highly unusual in wartime..

Journalist dies: The first American journalist to die in the Iraq war was Michael Kelly, editor at large for the Atlantic Monthly and a columnist for The Washington Post. He died Friday in a Humvee accident.